USA > Pennsylvania > Perry County > Churches between the mountains : a history of the Lutheran congregations in Perry County, Pennsylvania > Part 23
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CHURCHES BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS.
a missionary for this destitute field. On the 6th of July, 1861, the
Rev. William O. Wilson,
the present pastor, located at Millerstown and commenced his pastoral labors. For the first year he received $150 of the Synod's missionary funds. For some time he explored the field and preached at a number of places, some of which he afterwards gave up and concentrated his labors to fewer points. At Millers- town he has hitherto been preaching in the new school-house or academy. A church was wanted very much to insure success. Hence, efforts were soon made to build one. For this purpose Mr. John Kinter very generously donated a lot of ground near the borough of Millerstown, and preparation was made to erect a church. On Wednesday evening the 25th of September, 1861, Rev. P. M. Rightmeyer preached in the Methodist Episcopal Church from Eph. 6 : 10-12. At the same place, on the 26th, Rev. D. H. Focht preached a sermon suitable to the occasion from Eph. 2 : 19-22. The assembly proceeded then to the site of the foundation of Samuel's Evangelical Lutheran Church, the documents were deposited, and the corner-stone laid in the usual way .* The building is to be frame, and thirty-five by forty feet in size.
On the 29th of December, 1861, the congregation was organ- ized once more. On this occasion the Rev. W. H. Diven assisted the pastor, and the following paper was approved and subscribed :
" We, the undersigned, now regular members of the neighboring Evangelical Lutheran congregations, and in good standing in the same, living at Millerstown and its vicinity, Perry County, Pa., deeply sensible of the necessity of having the Gospel of Jesus Christ regularly preached in our midst, of having our children instructed in the doctrines of the Christian religion, and of having the sacra-
* Excepting names and dates, the declaration with the documents was the same as that deposited in the corner-stone of the Centre Evangelical Lutheran Church (see next Section), and need therefore not be inserted here.
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ments administered according to the command of God's word, do, on this Sunday the 29th of December, A. D. 1861, organize cur- selves into an Evangelical Lutheran congregation, by electing an Elder or Elders and Deacons, holding the Bible as our only infalli- ble and inspired rule of faith and practice, affirming our assent to the doctrinal basis of the Synod of Central Pennsylvania, and of the General Synod of the Lutheran Church in the United States, and adopting the Formula of said General Synod, or a Constitu- tion consistent therewith as our rule of government and discipline. In doing this we subscribe our names as members of Samuel's Evangelical Lutheran Church, looking to Almighty God for his blessing upon this our humble undertaking, and praying that his word among us may have free course, run and be glorified, sin- ners be converted, saints be edified, and this congregation be per- petuated from generation to generation, till time be no more, through Jesus Christ, to whom, with the Father and Holy Spirit, be praise and glory, honor and thanksgiving, now and forever. Amen. Signed by
Samuel S. Taylor,
Susan Marlatt,
Ephraim Acker,
Caroline Freeburn,
Samuel H. Kleffman,
Elizabeth Kleffman,
Jacob Slutterbach,
Lydia Ann Acker,
Mary A. Slutterbach,
Henry Weiland,
John Slutterbach,
Mary Slutterbach."
Hannah Taylor,
From the above number, and on the same day, the following brethren were elected and installed as the officers of the congre- gation, viz.,
Samuel S. Taylor, Elder.
Ephraim Acker, 1 year,
Samuel H. Kleffman, 2 years, Deacons.
On the 27th of April, 1862, Mrs. Hannah Harman, Mrs. Elmira Jane Wright, and Mrs. Mary Louder, were received as members by certificate.
In May, 1862, Mr. S. S. Taylor, as delegate, represented the
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CHURCHES BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS.
charge in Synod at Selinsgrove, Pa., and Synod promised to advance $200 from its missionary funds towards the mission the coming year.
The new church it is expected will be ready for consecration in August of this year, 1862. The congregation has suffered much for want of a house of worship, and has struggled hard to build one. Now, however, the long-desired and much-needed object is nearly reached. We trust a brighter day will now dawn for this long-distracted and neglected congregation, and that it will now enjoy the stated ministrations of the sanctuary, and be per- manent in its growth.
The present pastor has hitherto labored amid innumerable diffi- culties in the charge, growing out of a want of church-edifices and of an adequate support. He labored hard and endured much self- denial, besides suffering severe affliction in his own person and family ; but, as a good soldier, he prosecuted his labors with patience and sowed with tears, and, under God, he has accom- plished a good work. The charge is now established permanently and order is brought out of chaos. May the Lord of the harvest bless the pastor and congregations.
" Mighty Savior, spread thy Gospel, Win and conquer, never cease ; May thy lasting, wide dominions Multiply and still increase ; Sway thy sceptre, Savior, all the world around."
SECTION II.
CENTRE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN BUFFALO TOWNSHIP.
The narrow valley lying between Juniata and Susquehanna Rivers, east of Newport, in Oliver and Buffalo Townships, was formerly and is still known as Buck's or Brush Valley. Some of
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the earliest settlers of this beautiful and fertile valley were mem- bers of the Lutheran Church. To 1833, Rev. J. W. Heim preached for them an occasional sermon at the east or Susque- hanna end of the valley. In October, 1833, Rev. C. G. Erlen- meyer took charge of the Liverpool pastorate, and for some time preached at Buck's School-house, near the Susquehanna, and at other places in the valley till 1842. In November, 1842, in con- nection with Liverpool, Petersburg, and some other places, Rev. Andrew Berg commenced to preach regularly at what was com- monly known as Buck's School-house, where, on the 24th of June, 1843, he confirmed the following persons :
Jacob Bair,
Sarah Bair,
John Bair,
Magdalene Bair,
William Liddig,
Mary Bair,
Louisa A. Grum,
Elizabeth Liddig,
Elizabeth Werner,
Susanna Liddig,
Levina Werner,
Catharine Albright.
Immediately after the confirmation of these persons, and after he had preached here only about six months, to the great regret of the members, Rev. A. Berg resigned, and accepted a call from the Shrewsbury charge, York County, Pa. Thus the members were left destitute, and had no preaching by a minister of their own Church for a number of years. They gradually scattered as sheep without a shepherd. Some were gathered into other folds. In September, 1847, Rev. William Weaver took charge of the Liverpool pastorate, and, till 1851, preached occasionally at different places in this valley.
All the above-named ministers preached at school-houses at different points in the valley. The members had no church and were not organized into a congregation, and as they had preaching but seldom and at long intervals they remained scattered. So far as we can learn anything to the contrary, no Lutheran minister preached in this valley from 1851 to January, 1859, when the Rev. D. H. Focht first visited the members. During this time a number left the Church of their early love and choice, a few at-
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CHURCHES BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS.
tended preaching occasionally at Newport and other places, and some lived in cold indifference and cared little about the interests of their souls. In the meantime a few families belonging to the Church moved into the valley. The want of preaching was deeply felt and often deplored by those who sought the good of their families and of their community. The members were few, scat- tered and weak, and wickedness abounded. It became evident to most, if not all the members, that the preaching of the Gospel was the only means to bring about among them a better state of things. Finally, after repeated solicitations by different persons in the valley, the
Rev. D. H. Focht,
pastor of the Bloomfield Lutheran charge, consented to preach a sermon for them. An appointment was made for preaching at what was generally known as Huggins's School-house, about five miles east of Newport, in Buffalo Township, and about the centre of the valley. At this school-house, Rev. Focht accordingly preached the first time on Sunday evening, the 23d of January, 1859, from Exodus 33 : 14. The attendance was good, and all being encouraged, by request, he left another appointment. Hence, at the same place, he preached the second time on Saturday evening, the 12th of February, from Matt. 6 : 33 ; and the third time on Saturday evening, the 6th of March, from Rev. 3 : 20. Stimulated by these pastoral visits, a strong desire was manifested by the members to secure the stated preaching of the Gospel, and two of the brethren were appointed as a committee to meet the different church-councils of the Bloomfield charge, at their annual convention at Bloomfield on the 7th of May following, in order to secure part of the time of the pastor of that charge.
On Saturday, the 7th of May, 1859, Messrs. Lewis Acker and John Gunderman met the church-councils in convention at Bloom- field, and in behalf of the members in Buffalo Township made ap- plication for part of the ministerial services of the pastor. After due consideration of all the circumstances connected with this application, it was
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" Resolved, That the Lutheran congregation soon to be organ- ized in Buffalo Township, be received as an integral part of the Bloomfield charge, and that our pastor may preach for said con- gregation as often as he finds it convenient, Provided that such arrangement does not conflict with our regular appointments, and Provided, further, that each member of said congregation pay, annually, towards the support of the Gospel in the charge, not less than one dollar, and as much more as each one is able."
ORGANIZATION OF CENTRE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CONGREGATION.
On Sunday, the 5th of June, 1859, at 2 o'clock P.M., the pastor preached at Huggins's School-house from Mark 16 : 15. After the sermon was delivered, the following declaration was read, signed, and the organization effected :
" We, the undersigned, now regular members of the Church of Jesus Christ, and in good standing, living in Buffalo and Oliver Townships, Perry County, Pa., feeling deeply the necessity of having the Gospel of. our Lord Jesus Christ preached regularly among us, of having our children instructed and brought into fellowship with the Church, and the sacraments administered ac- cording to the command of Christ, and having obtained permission to organize ourselves into a regular congregation, and having been received as an integral part of the Bloomfield Evangelical Lutheran pastorate, Do, on this Sunday, the 5th day of June, Anno Domini 1859, in reliance on the great Head of the Church, organize and constitute ourselves an Evangelical Lutheran congregation, by electing an Elder or Elders and Deacons, and in so doing we adopt the Formula appended to the Lutheran Hymn-book, or a constitution consistent therewith, as the rule of our government and discipline, acknowledging the Holy Bible as our only infalli- ble rule of faith and practice, and adhering to the essential doc- trines of God's word as set forth in the Augsburg Confession, and as understood and taught by the Synod of Central Pennsylvania and the General Synod of the Lutheran Church in the United States. All this we do with a sole view to the glory of God the
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CHURCHES BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS.
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, for our present and eternal good, the good of our children and that of the community at large. Looking to Almighty God for his blessing on this our humble and sincerely devout undertaking, we hereunto subscribe our names, on the day aforesaid, as members of Centre Evangelical Lutheran congregation, in Buffalo Township, Perry County, Pa., praying that among us God's word may have free course, run, and be glorified in the edification, conversion, and final salvation of many souls, and that this congregation may prove a great blessing to many, and be perpetuated from generation to generation till time be no more, through Jesus Christ, our divine Lord and Master. Amen. Signed by
John Moritz, Jacob Harris,
John Gunderman,
David Moritz,
Appilonia Harris,
Elizabeth Moritz,
Philip Peters,
John W. Silks, John Silks,
Lewis Acker, Elizabeth Peters,
Levina Hetrick,
Susan Acker,
Reuben Hains,
Louisa C. Huggins,
Susan Eliz. Acker,
Jacob Bair, Abraham Adams,
Jacob E. Ziegler,
Sarah Bair,
Angeline Adams.
The following brethren were then elected and installed as the officers of the congregation :
John Moritz, Elder.
Jacob Harris, for 1 year, - Deacons.
Lewis Acker, for 2 years,
The congregation being thus regularly organized, the pastor preached thenceforthi once every three weeks, alternately in the forenoon and afternoon, at Huggins's School-house and two or three times at Patterson's. The congregation requires an occa- sional sermon in the German language ; it will, however, not be long until no German will be required. Soon after the organiza- tion of the congregation, the pastor commenced, after every ser- mon he preached here, to lecture on a portion of the Catechism of the Church. This was deemed necessary, not only for the instruc-
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tion of the young and those not members, but especially for the members.
On the 30th of December, 1859, at Huggins's School-house, a protracted meeting was commenced and continued till the 11th of January following. During this precious season of grace, it is supposed between twenty and twenty-five members and others were truly converted to God. A weekly prayer-meeting was then started, which has since been kept up regularly by the members, and is well attended. The Sunday-school is also well attended. The converts of the meeting were faithfully instructed for some time in the doctrines of our holy Christianity, and on the 24th of March, 1860, the following persons were confirmed :
Adam Hetrick,
Mrs. Susan Finton,
George W. Huggins,
Hannah M. Ziegler,
William H. Mowry (baptized),
Mrs. Rebecca Moritz, “
Miss Annetta Guslar, " Susan Peters.
" Awake, my soul, in joyful lays, And sing thy great Redeemer's praise ; He justly claims a song from me, His loving-kindness, O how free !"
On Sunday, the 25th of March, the Lord's Supper was admin. istered, when twenty-nine persons communed.
Much was said from time to time about building a church, and one was really very much needed ; but nothing was, however, done towards the accomplishment of an end so glorious. Soon after the present pastor commenced preaching here, and still more after the congregation was organized, it became evident to all the members that to the permanency and future prosperity of the congregation a church of their own and under their own control was required. In the school-house the congregation was subjected to great incon- venience and annoyance from various sources. Here, that order, becoming the worship of God, could not be preserved, and the in- terests of the congregation could not be secured.
In accordance with previous announcement, a convention of the members was held on Monday, the 26th of March, at the house
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CHURCHES BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS.
of Mr. George W. Huggins, to take into consideration the pro- priety of erecting a church. The following brethren were in at- tendance and voted, viz., Lewis Acker, John Bowers, Adam Het- rick, George W. Huggins, Jacob E. Ziegler, John Moritz, John Haines, Jacob Harris, Philip Peters, John Gunderman, Peter K. Lehr, and William H. Mowry.
The pastor opened the business of the meeting with prayer. The object of the convention was then fully stated, and the bre- thren were exhorted to act deliberately, in harmony and love, and for the glory of God and the best interest of the congregation. After careful consideration, the following resolutions were unani- mously adopted :
" Resolved, 1. That the majority of votes shall decide all ques- tions now to come before us."
As the proposed church was to be located near the line between Buffalo and Oliver Townships, and about midway between Juniata and Susquehanna Rivers, and near the centre of the valley, it was
" Resolved, 2. That the church be called Centre, and be exclu- sively Lutheran."
" Resolved, 3. That the church be located in a corner of the upper field of Mr. Harris, at the cross-road between Messrs. Har- ris and Potter."
" Resolved, 4. That three brethren be elected Trustees, who shall also be the building committee." Messrs. John Moritz, Lewis Acker and Jacob Harris were elected.
" Resolved, 5. That the church-edifice be thirty-five by forty feet in size, frame, and twelve feet in the clear." It is to be re- gretted that, on their own responsibility, the building committee afterwards reduced the dimensions to thirty by thirty-six feet.
" Resolved, 6. That the building-committee contract with me- chanics for the erection of the church-edifice on such terms as shall, in their judgment, be best for all parties concerned."
The following heading of a subscription was then drawn up, and $267 were at the time subscribed :
"We, the undersigned subscribers, promise to pay in money, work or lumber, the respective sums opposite our names towards
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CHAPTER VI.
erecting Centre Lutheran Church in Buffalo Township, Perry County, Pa., on land given for the purpose by Mr. Jacob Harris. Said church is to be used for the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in purity, and by the permission of the whole Church-Coun- cil other orthodox denominations may be allowed to preach in it a funeral sermon or an occasional sermon, provided such an occa- sional sermon does not cause difficulty and does not interfere with the regular appointments of the congregation. March 26th, 1860."
The business of this convention was transacted with great una- nimity, in harmony and love. The brethren united with the pas- tor in prayer, and thus the meeting closed. All present took cour- age to press the enterprise forward to completion.
On the 27th of April, the building committee contracted with Mr. Philip Peters to erect the church-edifice for five hundred and fifty dollars.
The following congregational Constitution, prepared by the pas- tor, and adopted by the congregation on the day therein named, together with the Formula appended to the Lutheran Hymn- Book, are the rule by which this congregation is to be governed and its discipline administered :
CONSTITUTION OF CENTRE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CONGREGATION.
Preamble.
Believing that order is necessary to the prosperity of every as- sociation, and that it is therefore the duty of every individual congregation to adopt such a form of government and discipline as shall be consistent with the precepts and spirit of the word of God, We, whose names are undersigned, do hereby, on this the 15th day of June, A. D., 1860, solemnly adopt the doctrinal basis of the Synod of Central Pennsylvania and of the General Synod of the Lutheran Church in the United States, and pledge ourselves to God and each other to be governed by the following Constitu- tion :
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CHURCHES BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS.
CHAPTER I.
OF THE CHURCH, ITS NAME, DUTIES, AND OFFICERS.
SEC. 1. This church shall be known by the name of Centre Evangelical Lutheran Church, in Buffalo Township, Perry County, and State of Pennsylvania.
SEC. 2. This church-edifice shall be used for the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in purity. By the permission of the whole Church-Council other orthodox denominations may be al- lowed to preach in this church a funeral sermon or an occasional sermon, provided such an occasional sermon does not cause diffi- culty and does not interfere with the regular appointments of the congregation.
SEC. 3. This church shall be governed by the " Formula for the Government and Discipline of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the United States," and by such by-laws as are consis- tent therewith.
SEC. 4. The object of this church shall be to see that God's word, as contained in the Old and New Testament, be preached in purity, and that the sacraments be administered according to the command of Christ and the form of the General Synod of the Lutheran Church in the United States ; to labor for the purity of its members in faith and practice ; to instruct the children in the doctrines of our holy religion as set forth in the Catechism ; to support its pastor as Christ commands ; to make provision for its worthy poor; and to promote the kingdom of Christ in every scriptural way.
SEC. 5. The officers of this church shall consist of the Pastor, Elders, Deaeons and Trustees, whose respective duties are detailed in the following chapter.
CHAPTER II.
OF THE PASTOR, ELDERS, DEACONS, AND TRUSTEES.
SEC. 1. The Pastor or Bishop shall be a minister of good stand- ing, who cordially receives the doctrinal basis of this church, as
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CHAPTER VI.
specified in the preamble of this Constitution, and who is a mem- ber of some Synod in connection with the General Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the United States; and if he does not belong to the Synod of Central Pennsylvania when he takes charge of this congregation, he shall connect himself with said Synod at its next annual convention, and a refusal to do so shall be regarded as a resignation of the congregation. He shall perform the duties prescribed in Chap. 3 of the Formula.
SEC. 2. The Elders shall diligently attend to the duties pre- scribed in Chap. 3, Sec. 4 of the Formula.
SEC. 3. The Deacons shall be so elected that one of them re- tires every year from office and another is chosen to fill his place. They shall perform the duties set forth in Chap. 3, Sec. 4 of the Formula.
SEC. 4. The Trustees shall take care of the church property and see that it is kept in good repair ; they shall take charge of all important papers and documents of the church ; and they shall always be the building committee when any building is to be done.
SEC. 5. No one shall be elected to any office of this church, who is not a member in full communion with this congregation, and who does not bear a good Christian character.
SEC. 6. This congregation shall from time to time determine the number of its officers, but these shall in no case be less than one Elder, two Deacons, and three Trustees.
SEC. 7. When persons have been elected to the office of Elder, Deacon or Trustee, they shall be regularly inducted into office by the pastor according to the form prescribed in the Liturgy of the General Synod.
CHAPTER III.
OF THE CHURCH-COUNCIL.
SEC. 1. The Church-Council, of which the pastor is ex officio chairman, shall consist of the Pastor and all the Elders and Dea- cons.
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CHURCHES BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS.
SEC. 2. The Church-Council shall faithfully attend to all the duties specified in Chap. 4 of the Formula, and see to it that all things be done to the best interest of souls and the highest glory of God.
SEC. 3. The Church-Council shall annually clect of their own number a Secretary, who shall keep a correct minute of the pro- ceedings of the Church-Council, a list of all the members of the church, record all infant and adult baptisms, confirmations, remo- vals and deaths. The Church-Council shall also elect a Treasurer annually, who shall receive all moneys belonging to the church, keep a correct account of the same, and annually or oftener, if the Church-Council desire it, present a full report on the state of the treasury.
SEC. 4. After a careful examination, the Church-Council shall admit to membership such persons as they believe to be possessed of the following qualifications : 1. They must be obedient subjects of the grace of God, that is, they must be genuine Christians or satisfy the Church-Council that they are sincerely endeavoring by the use of the divinely appointed means to become such, and, 2. They shall have attended a course of lectures by the pastor on the Catechism of the Church, and none shall be considered fit sub- jects for confirmation or baptism who have not attended such a course of instruction, unless the Church-Council are satisfied that their attainments are adequate without such attendance.
SEC. 5. The Church-Council shall admit members in the fol- lowing manner: 1. By the sacrament of baptism, those who were not baptized in infancy; 2. By the rite of confirmation, those who were baptized in infancy ; 3. By the right hand of Christian fellowship, those who present a satisfactory certificate from the church with which they were formerly connected ; and 4. By a vote and the right hand of Christian fellowship, those who cannot procure such a certificate, but who, on examination, are found possessed of the qualifications specified in Sec. 4 of this Chapter.
SEC. 6. When members of good standing remove from the bound of this congregation, the Church-Council shall, at the re- quest of the removing members, furnish them with a certificate of
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